Frequently Asked Questions

Harding University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 4100, Chicago, IL 60603, 312/664-3575; FAX 312/664-4652, web site www.acpe-accredit.org.

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What is the on-time graduation rate for the most recent graduating class?

The Harding University College of Pharmacy offers a traditional, four academic year professional doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree pathway. The following table provides a summary of on-time graduation rates for the last three graduating classes:

What are the most recent year's NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) results for the first-time takers?

The Harding University College of Pharmacy NAPLEX pass rate in 2013 for first-time takers (as reported on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Web site) was 91.49%. Preliminary results for 2014 indicate a NAPLEX pass rate for first-time takers of 93.1%.

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What are some measures of student achievement for the most recent graduating class?

The Harding University College of Pharmacy Class of 2014 had a 100% pass rate on the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy Law Examination. All pharmacy students in Arkansas are required to take this exam at the end of the third professional year prior to beginning fourth professional year advanced pharmacy practice experiences. Nineteen percent of the class of 2014 entered post-doctoral residency programs upon graduation. Upon graduation, 91% of the class of 2014 who self-identified as looking for employment had either accepted or been offered a position as a pharmacist.

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When was the first class admitted?

The inaugural class was seated in the fall of 2008.

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What degree is offered?

The College offers the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) as its single professional degree.

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How long is the Pharm.D. program?

The Pharm.D. program is a four-year professional program after students have completed approximately three years of preprofessional courses.

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Where can I complete my preprofessional courses?

Students may complete their preprofessional course requirements at Harding University or at any U.S. regionally accredited college or university. Be sure to review the HUCOP admissions information Web page for the list of required preprofessional courses. If you have any questions about the equivalency of any prepharmacy course to those required by the College, please contact the College via e-mail atpharmacy@harding.edu.

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What is the tuition for pharmacy students?

The tuition for 2014-15 is $34,680. Other program costs include books, insurance, purchase of a laptop computer, travel to practice sites, room, and board. Book costs are estimated to be $600 - $1000 per semester years P1 – P3.

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Will I be required to find my own clinical sites or will the College locate these for me?

No student is required to find his or her own clinical sites. However, if a student knows of clinical sites near his or her home, there is a process in place to petition the Assistant Dean for Experiential Education for site verification and approval. The student should begin the petition process well in advance of the anticipated practice experience in order to allow ample time for appropriate site investigation and preceptor training. Not all potential sites identified by students will be deemed acceptable by the Assistant Dean for Experiential Education and approval is at the discretion of the Dean.

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Where will I complete my clinical experiences?

The Pharm.D. curriculum includes clinical experiences in all four professional years (P1 – P4). The early, or introductory, pharmacy practice experiences are located within a 1-hour driving radius of the HUCOP campus in Searcy, Arkansas. The advanced pharmacy practice experiences comprising the fourth professional year may require relocation of the student to sites outside the Searcy area. Students may also petition the Assistant Dean for Experiential Education to complete selected experiences at other locations outside the HUCOP network of affiliated clinical sites. Additionally, students will have opportunities to participate in international mission-related clinical experiences.

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Is there University housing available for pharmacy students?

Yes, students have access to Harding University housing facilities.

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Will I be required to interview at the College before I will be considered for admission?

Yes, the College requires an on-site interview prior to admission to the Pharm.D. program. All expenses related to travel for the interview are the student’s responsibility, although low-cost accommodations may be available on campus.

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What other health science programs does Harding University offer?

The College of Nursing has been in existence for 30 years offering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The Physician Assistant Program graduated its first class of Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS) candidates in July 2007. The College of Communication awards a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders and a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology for students planning to pursue certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program accepted its first class in the Fall of 2011.

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What is the class size in the College of Pharmacy?

The College enrolls 60 students per year for an average total enrollment of 240 P1-P4 students in the College.